Stunning photographs tell the human interest tales at county fairs across the U.S. in the midst of bright lights, wild rides, hot dogs and lemonade

The great tradition of the U.S. county fair celebrates local agriculture and heritage with entertainment, competitions, bright lights, wild rides, food and fun.

But photographer Greg Miller is fascinated with the human interest angle at fairs across the country. Using a large format 8x10 camera, Miller documented the events, producing a series of intriguing shots commissioned by Life's newspaper supplement.

He told Slate that he would wander round the fairs observing people until something grabbed his attention. 'It's a recurring theme in the pictures,' Miller said. 'People are either breaking up or they're on the verge of a new relationship or you can't tell which way they're going.'

Doleful: An awkward interaction at the National Date Festival in 2005

On the spin: A scene from a ride at the Ventura County Fair in 2005

Greetings: A girl encounters a robot at the Schnecksville Community Fair, 2005

Company: A green swan overlooks a couple at the National Date Festival

Miller's websiteexplains that his photography 'utilizes street photography,
found moments and portraiture to capture human relationships and a
sense of suspended reality.'

Because of his large and unwieldy camera, Miller need to stop a chat to every potential photo subject. He admitted to Slate that he often had to work up the necessary bravery to talk to people.

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'The person you want to photograph
the most is the person that's scaring you the most. You're like, 'Oh
God, I can't photograph that person.' For me, that's the alarm going off
that I need to photograph this person,' Miller explained.

By using a large format camera Miller is able to get huge resolution and incredible control of perspective and the depth of field in his photographs. But it doesn't come cheap, financially at least.

Tenderness: A scene from Blue Hill Fair, 2005

Avoiding eye contact? Preparations at the National Date Festival

Teenage kicks: Behind the ride at Schnecksville Community Fair

When life gives you lemons... The lemonade stand at Brooklyn Fair in 2007

Miller explained to Petapixel that it costs $1,500 for hundred sheets of film, which lasts him about three months.

But he says he loves the 8x10 camera for the optical quality of the photographs - and other reasons.

'When
I'm on the street shooting with this camera, it has this level of
importance because it's a large wooden camera, and I just love the
experience everyone has with it, I love everything about it. I
understand that it makes me seem like I'm a luddite or something,' Miller said.

The photographer told Petapixel that it has also taught him to 'be more
communicative. I talk to everyone in my pictures. I am richer for it in
other more profound ways. Makes $1,500 look cheap.'